Skate Across Texas, Hot Wheels and Skate Ranch have been closed for years now, and the couple got tired of driving to Central and North Austin for birthday parties for their now-teenage daughter.

So they took over the warehouse of an online pet supply company and opened Austin Roller Rink three and a half years ago.

“I always went to skate rinks when I was a kid,” Robi said. “So it was a no-brainer for us. What could we do for kids that we used to do as kids? [Skating is] one of the timeless things left that you as a parent can do with your kids.”

The Hellums have designed Austin Roller Rink to be a family-friendly place that is fun for kids and nostalgic for adults.

“A lot of the kids don’t skate like we used to,” Earlita said. “The parents will come and be much better skaters than the kids.”

One throwback is the price: the cost of admission plus skates ranges from $5 to $10 depending on the night, Earlita said.

“People come in and are shocked,” Robi said. “They’ll say, ‘We just came from the movie theater and paid $12 a ticket. We ended up spending $60, and it wasn’t even fun.'”

Friday nights have unofficially become teen nights, Earlita said. The rink overstaffs on those nights to prevent fights or injuries.